We analyzed chloroplast ATP synthetase beta subunit(atpB) sequences from 32 strains of the zygnemophycean green algae, Staurastrum, Staurodesmus, and a single species of Xanthidium. A total of 42 atpB sequences including previously published ones was aligned for phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenies were validated with bootstrap analysis and Kishino-Hasegawa test. Taxa of Staurastrum excluding S. muticum indicate that they can be characterized by taxa having the ornamented cell wall or the process of cells. However, the genus Staurodesmus was grouped with taxa having the smooth cell wall and the absence of process or arms. The results suggest that the genus Staurodesmus could be extended to include Staurastrum muticum, Desmidium, Onychonema and Xanthidium. Further taxon sampling of Staurodesmus and putative relatives is necessary for a solid classification of the genus.